Talk:BMW Z1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article is within the scope of Wikipedia Project Automobiles, a collective approach to creating a comprehensive guide to the world of automobiles on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, you are encouraged to visit the project page, where you can contribute to the discussion. | |
| B | This article has been rated as B-Class on the Project's quality scale. | |
| Mid | This article has been rated as mid-importance on the importance scale. | |
[edit] Z1 illegal in the U.S.A. because of doors?
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists the BMW Z1 (1988-1991) in the "show or display" category, reserved for cases where
"it would be difficult or impossible to bring the vehicle into compliance with the Federal motor vehicle safety standards. This provision is intended to facilitate the importation of historically or technologically significant vehicles that were never certified by their manufacturer for sale in the United States."
See
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/sdlist06202005.html
and
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/howtosd072003.html
This quote is from BMW World:
"The doors of the Z1 are unique. The doors drop down into the car's sills (or rockers), and as they drop the windows lower. The "open air" cockpit was considered unsafe in the USA, and the Z1 was not allowed to be imported for many years." See http://www.bmwworld.com/models/z1.htm
I wonder if without the U.S. market the Z1 could have survived anyway.
Answer from owner : Yes it did survive for 3 production years which is about 36 months more it was planned. The Z1 was never planned to be a production car. When BMW decided to run a small production they wanted to keep the numbers under 10,000 units. At the end they made between 8012 and 8036 and all sold fairly well.
Aldo L 18:40, 25 June 2006 (UTC)
Anyone here who has imported one Z1 into the USA ? I would like to do that but it seems so difficult !!! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 193.108.158.71 (talk • contribs).
I have seen several examples in the US, and know of many more. My estimate is that at least 10-12 Z1's in the US currently under the "show&display" program and a few without legal paperwork.
The NHTSA ALLOWS historically significant vehicles into the USA and be driven on the road. Several McLaren F1's have found their way, Jay Leno owns or owned one. The Z1 is listed as well, meaning that someone has proven the car complies. Therefore, at least one car must have been imported. 86.90.51.217 20:22, 19 July 2007 (UTC)Bart
However, many restrictions apply. I mean, the car could not be offered to the public as freely as any other US spec BMW.190.128.187.15 01:53, 23 July 2007 (UTC)
The restrictions are for driving only, the sale of the vehicle is permitted. Under the "show&display" program allows 2500 miles per year and has to be documented.
[edit] RHD
The article doesn't mention weather or not the vehicle was available in RHD and doesn't mention any RHD market. I've never seen one in RHD and believe they weren't. Does anyone have any evidece either way and if yes could they put something in somewhere. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Morcus (talk • contribs) 23:39, 13 May 2008 (UTC)
